Topic: Super Castlevania IV Stage 2 Oddities

[Inccubus]

I recently added some notes to the Castlevania Wiki about what I think might be evidence that the sub-stages of in Stage 2 were originally meant to be in a different order from the final product. I also mention a possible connection to sub-stage 5-1 which may have been designed as either an alternate route from 2-3 or possibly an intermediary stage between 2-3 and 2-2. This is all conjecture, but I'd like to get some other points of view on this.

[X]

The only oddity I found was fighting Medusa in the middle of the stage rather then at the end. in terms of order i didn't see anything out of then norm. After you fight Medusa you then proceed underground which then exits to stage 3 where  you start off in a cave.

[Inccubus]

Look closely at the graphics in the backgrounds. It seels to me the order should have been:

2-1 ---> 2-3 ---> 2-2

The beginning of 2-3 has the trees, grass, and geology of 2-1.
2-3 is an underground river/stream.
2-2 is a swamp area, and swamps are normally fed by a water source.
2-2 has the stage's boss in a room that looks like it could be the mouth of a cave.
If 2-3 were feeding directly into 4-1, then why isn't flooded or partially flooded?
Having a waterfall (4-2) in proximity to 4-1 would explain the dripping water.

And all of this is really just rationalization, but it makes sense to me.

[X]

To get this explanation to work better I would suggest you get together some screenshots and identify them as you go. At the moment words fail me. I need both to get a better understanding.

[Inccubus]

OK. I circled all the stuff I mentioned. Plus, I also noticed that 2-3 consists of a lot of stone work that makes it look more man-made. It seems more like an aqueduct than an underground river. If so then it meshes up even more with 5-1 being as it's some sort of an old ruin with pools of water and lily pads.

[X]

Chances are that stage 2-3 is an aqueduct with the stonework you've pointed, but it does lead underground prior to stage 3. However the aqueduct would need to be fed by a water source and that's where the underground river comes in to play. In the cave of stage 3 you can see the water dripping from the roof of the cave. This would indicate that the water is above you like it was in stage 2-3. As for the other area's I don't really see anything out of the ordinary.

[Inccubus]

Sometimes caves, especially man-made ones, can go through the ground and open back up again on the other side. There is absolutely no doubt that the trees, grass and rocks in 2-1 are the same as at the beginning of 2-3.
The dripping water in the caves can just as easily be explained by the massive waterfall that is situated right next to it. The end of 2-3 does look like it leads into a cave, but so does the end of 2-2. It's possible they changed the tiles to look more like a cave on 2-3 in short notice and didn't make any other adjustments.